Friday, April 10, 2015

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Good To Go! Flex Pass (But Were Afraid To Ask)

By Ethan Bergerson

Recently, we reached another milestone on the road to launching the I-405 Express Toll Lanes with the availability of the new Good To Go! Flex Pass. We’ve received hundreds of phone calls and emails asking us about the new Good To Go! pass, and we’ve got answers to some of your most common questions right here.

1. Why did WSDOT create the new Good To Go! Flex Pass?
The new I-405 express toll lanes will be open to anyone on the road whenever they need it. But the Flex Pass is carpoolers’ golden ticket to travel free in the express toll lanes. You’ll need to meet new occupancy requirements, and have an active Good To Go! account and the new Flex Pass in HOV mode to travel free in the express toll lanes. This lets us know you’re carpooling so that we don’t charge a toll.

2. How will the new Flex Pass work?

The new Good To Go! Flex Pass will give carpoolers the option to drive in the new I-405 express toll lanes for free while also offering drivers the flexibility to use the lanes when they don’t qualify as a carpool. Here’s how:

When you have enough people in your car to qualify as a carpool, just swipe to the right to turn on HOV mode before entering the express toll lanes, and you’re free to travel the system.

If you’re traveling alone and running late or just want to bypass the congestion, simply toggle to TOLL mode and cruise into the express lane for a quicker trip.

The Flex Pass will also work to pay tolls on all other Washington toll facilities.

3. What if you don’t have enough passengers to travel free?

Vehicles that don’t meet the carpool occupancy requirements can pay for access to the lanes even if they don’t have a Good To Go! pass. This is a choice that doesn’t exist today on I-405. Drivers with any Good To Go! pass installed in their vehicle will pay the lowest toll rate. If a vehicle without a Good To Go! pass enters the lanes, the system takes a photo of your license plate and either deducts the amount from a registered Pay By Plate account (an extra 25-cents per toll), or sends the vehicle’s registered owner a Pay By Mail bill. This gives every car a new reliable option reach their destination sooner for those times when you’re running late to a critical appointment and really need to get where you’re going as soon as possible.

4. Do I have to get a Flex Pass if I already have a Good To Go! pass?

While we recommend the new Good To Go! Flex Pass for anyone who plans on carpooling in the I-405 express toll lanes, drivers who do not plan on carpooling on I-405 can continue to use their current Good To Go! passes. But remember, the Flex Pass is the only way to drive for free as a carpool on the I-405 express toll lanes, any other Good To Go! pass will be charged on I-405 regardless of the number of vehicle occupants. Everyone has different needs so choose the pass that works best for you.

If you already bought a switchable pass for carpooling on SR 167, then you qualify for a free upgrade. Call 1-866-936-8246 or email goodtogo@goodtogo.wsdot.wa.gov to put in your request. While your switchable pass will continue to work the same when carpooling on SR 167, it will be charged a toll when carpooling on I-405 even when it is turned off.

5. What’s this about a free Flex Pass?

We realize that this is a big change for carpoolers, and we want to make the transition easier. That’s why we’re giving the Flex Pass away for free to frequent carpoolers. And don’t worry, you won’t need to camp out in line in front of the Good To Go! customer service center to be the first to get it.

Do you qualify?

Do you live, work, and/or play in King and/or Snohomish counties?

Do you carpool at least once a week on I-405 (including weekends!)?

If you answered yes to both, congratulations! You qualify for a free Flex Pass through RideshareOnline.com, or a community partner. Just create a profile or log into your existing account, and answer a few questions, and we’ll send you your Flex Pass in two to three weeks. We’ll give you a free Flex Pass if you routinely have two people in your car, but you can also use RideshareOnline.com to find a third person to share the ride with in order to drive toll-free at peak hours. Visit the I-405 Express Toll Lanes website to learn more.

214 comments:

Why are you enabling class distinctions between people who can afford to pay the high tolls (the 1% ers) the privilege to pay for access while those of us who don't have money have to wait? This seems very unfair and regressive to the majority of us who are tax payers but cannot afford even more cost.

People of all income levels benefit from the option to have a faster, more reliable trip. Maybe it’s not an everyday thing, but express toll lanes are there when you need them. Whether you need to get to a job interview on time, pick up a child from daycare, or are running late to work, the express toll lanes are an option. And, for other times, the general purpose lanes will still be toll-free and national examples show that express toll lanes improve traffic across all lanes.

Transit riders, van pools, and carpoolers will also all be able to drive toll-free in the lanes with a Good To Go! account and the correct pass installed in their vehicle. And, of course, we’re giving the new Flex Pass away for free to frequent carpoolers.

But you have to show that you will use the HOV lane with 3 people on a regular basis, correct? And if you only occassionally use the HOV lane - then you will be required to buy a flex pass to use the HOV lanes even if you have 3+ people in your car? Or pay a toll - even if you would otherwise qualify to use the HOV lanes under the "old" restrictions. I think we figured these tolls would add between $140 to $180 per month to the commute on I-90 when it becomes a toll road. This truly is a regressive tax regardless of your "talking points." Welcome to San Jose Norte.

The Flex Pass is available now. If you don’t qualify for a free Flex Pass, you can still buy one for $15. If you already have a Good To Go! account, this can be deducted from your pre-paid balance. Call 1-866-936-8246 or visit one of our service centers to place your order.

You will see up to three toll rates on a sign prior to entering the express toll lane. You pay the price you see upon entering the lane for your destination, even if you see a higher toll rate for your destination further down the road. If you are exiting the express toll lane anywhere up to or at the destination, you will pay the price for that destination.

If I only plan to drive in the HOV lane when I have 3+ riders, does it mean I still have to pay for the pass AND load up the minimum amount of money on the pass when I will never use it? Doesn't the money expire on the pass if I don't use it after a certain amount of time?

If I am carpooling on 405 and use 520 to go to Seattle (or I am coming from Seattle on 520 and plan to use the HOV lane with 3+ passengers on 405), how would I need to use the flex pass? Will I be charged the Good to Go! pass rate on 520 if it's in HOV mode, or will I need to toggle the pass to TOLL when I get on 520 to avoid getting charged the Pay by Plate rate?

Every Good To Go! pass will work the same on the SR 520 bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. If you have a Flex Pass, your account will be charged the same toll on SR 520 no matter whether you have your pass switched to HOV or TOLL mode.

Toll revenue raised on I-405 will be reinvested back into the I-405 corridor. The tolls will primarily be used to fund the maintenance and operation of the express toll lanes, any additional revenues could be used for future I-405 corridor improvements. These costs go toward customer centers located locally, as well as toll roadway equipment. Operating costs will drop each year as traffic and revenue increase in the I-405 express toll lanes.

Express toll lanes are designed to move traffic more efficiently in the corridor, not to generate revenue. The cost to collect a toll is basically the same on I-405 and SR 167 as it is on our bridges such as SR 520 and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The cost to collect tolls on the bridges is at 13 percent which is on par with national agencies.

Motorcyclists will need a Good To Go! Motorcycle Pass to use the express toll lanes without paying a toll.

To use the lanes for free, carpoolers and motorcyclists will also need to have a Good To Go! account in good standing, which does require a refundable $30 deposit. This is to cover the payments of future tolls on any toll road in Washington and will be returned to you if you do not use it. This deposit lets you pay the lowest toll rates if you decide to use the express toll lanes when not in a carpool or need to use another toll road like the SR 520 bridge at any time. If you need to purchase a new Good To Go! pass, you can take that cost out of your prepaid balance too. Anyone who already has a Good To Go! account would not need to pay a new deposit and you can also link multiple vehicles to a single account.

Won't this make it difficult to regulate the HOV lane? Usually you can tell if someone is allowed to be in the lane just by the number of occupants, but under this system couldn't someone driving alone just have their pass permanently set to HOV and no one would know? I already see people who cheat now, so I hope this doesn't make it worse.

The express toll lanes and Flex Pass were designed with tools to make it easy for highway patrol officers to catch carpool cheaters. When a Flex Pass in HOV mode passes a toll point, a beacon will flash overhead signaling to highway patrol which vehicles are claiming carpool status. A red mark will also appear on the back of the Flex Pass when it is in HOV mode, which will be visible to patrol officers through the front windshield. In addition, anyone using the express toll lane without a Good To Go! account will receive a toll bill in the mail.

RE:"What’s this about a free Flex Pass?": it feels I was just scammed into opening an account on rideshareonline.com to get a free Flex Pass. There're no questions and no offer for the free pass I could find there. Nice start, WSDOT!

RE:"What’s this about a free Flex Pass?": it feels I was just scammed into opening an account on rideshareonline.com to get a free Flex Pass. There're no questions and no offer for the free pass I could find there. Nice start, WSDOT!

Shame on WSDot! Raising the carpool requirement to 3 people means that regular carpoolers are getting pushed out of these lanes to make way for people who can afford to pay more. This is very unfair. Everyone pays for the roads; the wealthy should not have lanes cleared to make room so they can travel faster. The carpool lanes are not fully utilized today; you could continue to allow 2 person carpools in the lanes and still allow individuals to pay: then it would feel less like others are being displaced.

What if we have a metallized windshield but carpool with 3+ people on the weekday? It shows that the flex pass won't work and we need a license plate pass. Will we have a toll fee or will the license plate pass work on I-405 HOV lane?

This system is ridiculously complex. It's hard even to figure out how to buy a flex pass! (You have to log in to your account, click "Account Info", then "vehicle/pass" then "request items" then pull down "flex pass" from a menu. How 'bout a link from the "help you choose a pass" thingy? I also have to say I agree that this is a big step backwards. It does NOT benefit everyone to exclude all the two-person carpools at peak hours. It's WAY harder to put together a three-person carpool than a two-person one. The public comment periods on this system all happened AFTER the equipment was installed, which shows how much weight was given to public opinion on this subject. I've always been an opponent of his initiatives, but Tim Eyman, we need you! Make it go away!

We are working on a solution for cars with metallized windshields. Please email goodtogotolling@wsdot.wa and we’ll let you know as soon as that pass is available. We also suggest checking your car owner’s manual to determine if there is a designated area to put the pass on the windshield. If you’re unsure what kind of windshield you have, you can also contact your car dealer or manufacturer.

Okay, I got my new flex pass starter kit, but I can for the life of me figure out how to attach it to my window. The sticker was easy to figure out. This thing doesn't make any sense to me. There were no directions with it. Where do I attach the velcro stickers?? Is this thing one big sensor? Does the slider and the sticker face me so that the white (toll)/red (HOV) back is facing the outside of the car? If so, do I put both sets of velcro stickers in a spot that won't cover the red/white rectangle or is okay to lay one of the sets of velcro over where the red square shows when I'm in HOV mode? I hope I'm making sense here...this is hard to describe.

When I sent in the request to get my free flex pass, I was asked a series of questions, such as do I commute between Bellevue and Lynnwood...yes...are there two or more people you carpool with...yes...it's me and another person for a total of two people. Why would I be asked if there are only two or more yet I better have three or more in order to use it? Were they asking me about two or more excluding myself because that's not how I read it.

You read that correctly, two-person carpools qualify for a free Flex Pass. When you’re driving, the carpool occupancy requirements will depend on the time of day (three people will only be needed weekdays from 5 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., two people will be enough at other times). You can also use rideshareonline.com to find a third person to carpool with.

The first time you forget to put the Flex Pass in HOV mode and get a toll, you can call Good To Go! customer service and ask to have the I-405 tolls on that bill removed as a onetime courtesy. But please be extra careful not to claim HOV status when you don’t have enough people to qualify as a carpool, because Washington State Patrol could pull you over and issue a ticket.

The Flex Pass should have come with a quickstart guide. It goes inside your front windshield just below the rearview mirror with the switch side facing you and without obstructing the driver’s view. The Flex Pass goes inside the plastic clip which attaches to your windshield using velcro. Don’t forget to remove any other Good To Go! passes, and call 866-946-8246 to activate the Flex Pass.

I have used the 520 toll bridge twice, and on both occasions had to pay a late fee. I'm over 60 years old and have impeccable credit due to paying my bills on time. The first time I used the bridge, the envelop was indistinguishable from lots of other junk mail, so I tossed the initial one away. One the second occurrence, I was looking for a bill. I either never received it, or it was once again inadequately marked. The bill I DID receive had big letters on it say it was a TOLL BILL. I would like to know if this is just a case of bad luck, or it there is a pattern of GoodToGo fleecing the one-off users of the toll bridge? What percentage of users are charged a penalty, and how does this compare to late charges for utilities, credit cards, etc. I have a sense that there are intentionally deceptive practices taking place.

When a car that does not have a flex pass or any other kind of pass enters the toll lanes, how does Good To Go know to whom to send the bill. My husband and I recently received a bill for a toll on SR520 bridge westbound for 5/2/2015. We live in Thurston county and were in and around home all day that day. I put in a dispute, but not sure how to show we were not there—since we were not. Oh, and our vehicle was with us, not stolen or lent out to anyone. Does GoodToGo get pictures—can they provide the image of our supposed vehicle so we can prove that it is not ours? Not sure what else to do and feeling insecure that the saying we were not there will make the dispute end in our favor. I get how the pass tracking works, but not the non-pass tracking.

A very simple question. I've just received my Flex Pass, plus I already have a GoodToGo sticker pass attached to the windshield of my vehicle (I sometimes go via 520). Can I now remove the sticker pass, or should I keep *both* the passes on my windshield. In other words, does this new Flex Pass work on 520 as well? Should I keep only Flex Pass?

Once you activate the Flex Pass and install it in your car, you can remove any old passes. Don’t forget to call 866-936-8246 to activate your pass. The Flex Pass will still work fine no matter where you put the adhesive tape, even if some of the red part is covered. The Flex Pass will work on every tolling facility in Washington.

I just got a new Flex Pass, but already have a sticker pass on my car. I know I need to remove the old sticker pass, but I can find no where on the WSDOT site on HOW to remove the old sticker pass. It does not peel off very easily, and leaves a film behind. Help please!

Jeff, thank you for commenting on this topic. Since there are so many individual pass placements and removal tools at hand, we are recommending that each pass owner use his/her best judgment. Please come back and comment on your success and share with others what works for you.

I have a sticker pass. I assume that I have to remove the sticker pass. Otherwise I'll be charged twice, one for the sticker pass and one for the flex pass. Can you please confirm if my understanding is correct?

WSDOT has still failed to answer and is avoiding the following genuine concerns by so many people above:

1) Why will wealthy people be allowed in the express lanes at peak times even if they are single riders, for whom the toll amounts are pretty insignificant? This is a legal way to take bribes from illegal riders.

2) The currently legal 2-person carpools will suddenly be rendered illegal to use the express lanes?! What fairness is this to displace them out of the express lanes, while allowing illegal single riders mentioned in 1) above. How does paying money make an illegal person legal?

3) Still no clear instructions on how to activate these flex passes. Calling the phone number to activate has no menu option to activate flex passes...another lame and forceful execution of a plan not well thought out.

I don't understand how the camera taking pics of license plates is going to read my flex pass and know NOT to send me a bill in the mail. Is there some electronics in the flex pass that the camera reads?

The strategy I have used on SR 167 using the HOT lane is to remove my good2go pass and stick it in my glove box when I am a carpool, and place it back on the windshield for all other times. Is that a viable for I405 (or SR167 for that matter)? Or do I have to have this particular pass for it to work?

A need for a flex pass even if you have 3 people with you in cArpool is ridiculous! Why such a push into getting these flex passes. Even offering free ones as if they were doing us a favor. Seems pretty Suspiscious to me. Seems more like a goverment tracking system. The pass is free! Thanks but no thanks. I can only imagine how many people will get charged and a bill waiting for them all because of some dumb new robotic and infared light system they have flashing every car as it drives by like its scanning us of a virus.

kane99 - I am in the same boat, I think it's because the account type is "pay by plate" only so there is no way to add a pass :( Yes I know! It's pretty stupid. I sent email to them and will post here if I got an answer from them.

1. Can I leave the pass set to HOV when I pass a bridge toll, or do I need to be sure the pass is set to TOLL. I am hoping it won't matter one way or the other, and that the toll will register.

2. On the 405, if I have my pass set to TOLL: if I enter and leave the HOV lane multiple times, will I get charged each time I enter the HOV lane? I'm just wondering how I should try to get around a slow-moving vehicle in the HOV lane.

Thank you.

About #1: I just cross the 520 bridge with my pass set to HOV, as an experiment.. and so far I haven't seen the toll crossing show-up on my Good2Go account. I hope there's just a delay. If I get a bill in the mail from the license-plate photo thing... then I'll have my answer...

Update: The toll did in fact show-up on my Good2go account (crossing the 520 bridge), even though my Flexpass was set to HOV. Good! That's one fewer thing to worry about.

I am still wondering about my other question, namely:

2. On the 405, if I have my pass set to TOLL: if I enter and leave the HOV lane multiple times, will I get charged each time I enter the HOV lane? I'm just wondering how I should try to get around a slow-moving vehicle in the HOV lane.

1. Yes, you can leave the Flex Pass in HOV mode when you cross a tolled bridge and it will still deduct the toll from your Good To Go! account. It can take several hours for a toll charge to show up on a Good To Go! account. Did you activate or link your Flex Pass to a Good To Go! account? If not, you should do so immediately to avoid a Pay By Mail bill.

2. When we open the I-405 express toll lanes on Sept. 27, traffic in the express toll lanes will be separated from the regular lanes with a double white line that is illegal to cross. Drivers can only enter and exit the express toll lanes at designated access points. The good news is that traffic in the express toll lanes should always be moving at 45 mph or greater. Check out our new express toll lanes mapping tool to help plan you trip: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/tolling/405/map/

If you exit and reenter the express toll lanes at consecutive entry/exit points, you should only be charged a single time. Your trip is built based on when/where you enter and exit the lanes, so depending on how much time has passed between exit and reentry, the system should see that as a single trip.

You pay the price you see upon entering the lane for your destination, even if you see a higher toll rate for your destination further down the road. If you are exiting the express toll lane anywhere up to or at the destination, you will pay the price for that destination.

Is there any update yet re: what the thousands of people with metalized windshields are supposed to do, come September 27? I have been told by WSDOT on a couple of occasions that "a pilot program is in the works," but we're now on the eve of the rollout of the tolling, and there appears to be nothing done to address the fact that the existing Flex Pass system doesn't work for a large segment of the car "population." Please advise us about progress on this issue. Thanks.

Has any solution been reached with respect to the fact that the Flex Pass does NOT work with metalized windshields? I have asked this question on a number of occasions (of Rideshare, Good to Go, 405Carpool, etc.), but have not been given a straight answer yet. We are on the cusp of implementation, and there are thousands of people with metalized windshields who will not be eligible to use the FlexPass (including myself). Thanks.

Has any solution been reached with respect to the metalized windshield problem? The implementation of these tolls is less than two weeks away, and there are thousands of drivers who can't use the Flex Pass because it can't be read through a metalized windshield. Please let us know ASAP what the story is with this -- I have been inquiring about this issue since last April when this program was announced, but I have never received a straight answer. The Flex Pass program will be really unfair to a whole segment of the driving population if no solution can be reached prior to September 27, 2015.

why are TOLL lanes end at Bellevue and not continue ( south bound) to reach I-5 as north bound ? one of the nice things from Toll lanes ideas that is promising a travel time from Lynwood to Bellevue, but I live in Mill Creek and want to get to the SeaTac Airport in rush hours, I am ok to pay high rate toll to pass through the traffic faster , however I will be ended up stuck in really bad traffic from Bellevue to Renton anyway, Why would we open up the toll lanes flow through I 405 From Renton to Lynwood?

Thank you for your patience while we finalize details for this pilot program for vehicles with problem windshields, such as metalized windshields or the Eyesight safety feature. We will be contacting those on the pilot program interest list next week with details about the program and next steps. If you or anyone you know is interested in taking part in this pilot program, please have them email 405carpool@wsdot.wa.gov and we will add them to the interest list.

So the 'solution' to the continuous congestion on 405 is to allow the wealthier to pay an extra toll so they can zip along in two uncluttered lanes, while the rest of the peons who cannot afford additional fees atop existing taxes, fuel, car costs, are reduced to two lanes of already ludicrously congested traffic? In what version of the multiverse is this supposed to make sense?

Express toll lanes give drivers a choice to pay a toll for a reliable trip when they need it. Express toll lanes will also bring back predictability for carpoolers and transit who use the lanes toll-free. When express toll lanes were introduced in Miami, average speeds in the HOV lane more than tripled during peak afternoon periods. At the same time, average speeds in the general purpose lanes more than doubled. The result of the I-405 express toll lane system will be a corridor that moves more vehicles and people more efficiently.

Research on existing express toll lane users in Washington and in other parts of the country reveals that people of all income levels choose to pay tolls when they need a faster trip, whether that be during regular daily commute, running late to an appointment, or picking up a child from school or day care. People who take transit, vanpool, or carpool will all be exempt from tolls and benefit from a faster, more reliable trip.

you said: " people of all income levels choose to pay tolls when they need a faster trip" , that is nice but what would you say after we paid a high rate toll to travel fast from Bothell to Belevue then WILL stuck in the bad traffic after Bellevue to Renton section on South I 405. Why don't DOT extend the toll lanes all the ways down to Renton ,the benefits you mentioned about is just for those travel between a section from Bothell to Bellevue only do you realize the weird things that DOT imposes the tolls , benefits or making more nonsense ? and do you happen to have any data or specific model research that can tell the tolls will create commit to make the faster trip for just a few...drivers ?

Hello WSDOT,I would really like to know what equipment is being used on the gantries in the toll taking process. I believe I see IR Flash for cameras and a transceivers to power and simultaneously read the various passes used by the system. Also, I would really like to know, how is the toll system determining how many passengers are in the vehicle?Is there a FILR system to read the heat signatures of the passengers in the car, or are we only relying on the State Patrols visual acuities? Can a limo driver or any other driver with tinted windows be expecting to be pulled over and checked constantly for the correct number of passengers?

Great news! We have plans to extend the express toll lanes from Bellevue to Renton. The Connecting Washington transportation package, passed in July, completes this widening work with the addition of one lane in both directions between Renton and Bellevue. This new lane will be paired with the existing HOV lane to create a two express toll lanes in each direction. This project is scheduled to begin construction in 2019.

Thank you for your questions. The equipment mounted on the toll gantry consists of the following:• License Plate Cameras with a near IR Flash, which is why you see the flash at night• A light Sensor for the cameras• Laser scanners, used to help determine when a car enters and leaves the toll zone• Antennas to read the passes in vehicles

We are not using any equipment, including to heat sensors, to determine how many passengers are in a vehicle. Washington State Patrol will enforce the occupancy requirements just like they do currently for HOV lanes or on the SR 167 HOT Lanes.

How will you know if i use the carpool lane with only two people in the vehicle during a peak time with minimum of three people? Does the machine ex-ray the car and charge you if u only have two in one's vehicle?

I understand that my motorcycle pass is supposed to be placed on the center of the head light, but the duel lights on my bike have an irregular shape and the sticker pass just won't fit. Can it be off-center on one of the lights or will it work on the wind screen?Not sure if there is something special and specific about the "center" and a need for it to be on a light.Thanks,Adam

Thank you for your question. The Washington State Patrol will enforce the occupancy requirement on the I-405 express toll lanes, ensuring that those that declare as a three person carpool using the HOV mode on their Flex Pass do indeed have three people in the vehicle during peak commute times (5-9am and 3-7pm, weekdays). There is no automated device that checks for vehicle occupancy on the express toll lanes.

Thank you for your question. The motorcycle pass should be placed on your headlamp. The reason for the center position is so that it is as far away from metal as possible. The pass can be off-center on the headlight, just try to keep it away from metal. The manufacturer recommends that the pass be placed on a glass surface, hence the headlamp installation instructions.

I noticed an earlier post asking how to add the flex pass to an existing Good to Go account on-line. I didn't see a response to the question and am also having trouble figuring out how to do this. Help please???

I am trying to add my new flex pass # to my list of passes on my existing Good to Go on-line account. When I enter the pass # and check digit twice, press OK the pop up window goes nowhere. What am I supposed to do now?

BTW if you're having trouble figuring out how to add/activate your pass to an existing Good to Go account on-line here's what you do: Log on to your Good to Go account. On the left side of screen, click on the "Account Info" link. Click on "Vehicle Pass". You'll see 3 tabs: "Vehicles", "Good To Go!Pass", "Request Items". Click on the "Good To Go! Pass" tab. Then click "Add". Enter the # found on your new Good To Go! Flex pass as instructed, be sure you enter it twice. Click OK and wait a while. It'll eventually add to your account and it should show as being activated. Hope this works for you - it's not an official answer since I'm not with WSDOT but it seemed to work for me. Hope it works for you.

To add a Flex Pass to an existing Good To Go! account at MyGoodToGo.com:

1. Log in to your account online at MyGoodToGo.com2. Click on "Account Info" on the left hand menu. 3. Click on "Vehicle/Pass Info" on the left hand menu. 4. Choose the " Good To Go! Pass" tab from the center of the screen. 5. Click the "Add" tab, and enter the pass #.

Yes, they did try this in Orange county, and it failed--the company is verging on bankruptcy and when it does, California is left to cover it. It's not clear how this benefits drivers, but rather a select few who stand to profit. I guess we don't learn from our mistakes, and just repeat them after all.

Please post a picture of a flex pass installed. What side of the pass faces inside the car? Is it okay to remove the flex pass when not traveling in the 405 express lanes, and only attach it (via the Velcro strips) when using the 405 express lanes?Thanks for your help.

I just got a flex pass to use on I-405 express toll lanes. It says it should not be removed to use in other vehicles, then why can you link up to 6 vehicles on one account? I don't understand the reasoning of the plastic clip if you're not supposed to be able to move it between vehicles. Isn't the clip's purpose so that we can remove the flex pass to switch between vehicles?

I am a school bus driver for Everett Snohomish County. I travel 405 from Everett to Renton everyday twice a day to take a student to and from a school in Renton. Do school buses have to have a pass to use the HOV lanes. If I'm not in the HOV lane I would never be able to get the student to school on time. So as of Monday Sept 28th comes around I still don't understand if I need a pass or not. I don't want to get charged or ticketed if I'm in the HOV lane. As of yet I don't have a pass.

I am new to the area. Do you need the Good To Go pass on all highways that have an HOV lane if you are 2 or more travelers, or only on 405 are you required to have the Good to Go Pass? In other words, I thought on other roadways, if you have 2+ passengers, you didn't need to have a Pass to travel in the HOV lanes. I am confused now.

Since the WSDOT website specified it was out of flex passes and directed me to local retailers who themselves are out of passes due to underestimated demand, what is the time frame for more passes to be available, since the system goes live tomorrow?

How long after I've been in a toll lane will it show up in my transaction list under my good to go? I'm considering checking each time as my trust level for this system is very low.Also, I have a pass on my motorcycle headlamp and my bike is registered under my account (following all instructions commandant!), will my "free toll" show up as a transaction?Thanks,Adam

Good news! Motorcyclists do not need a Flex Pass to travel toll-free on the I-405 express toll lanes, but they will need a motorcycle pass. We are offering one free Good To Go! motorcycle pass per motorcyclist while supplies last. To request the pass, we are asking motorcyclists to complete a short survey. The motorcycle pass will then be mailed to the address you provide on the survey within a few weeks.

Hello Adam,Thank you for your questions. Your toll transactions will take 4-5 days to show up on your Good To Go! account. We have put extra checks in place to ensure that customers pay the rate they see at the time of their trip. Regarding your motorcycle trips, those toll-free trips will not show up on the transaction history on your account.

The good news is that WSDOT is not out of Flex Passes. You can order them at MyGoodToGo.com through your existing Good To Go! account or by opening a new account. They are also available at each of our three customer service walk-in centers.

Hello Mama Me 3-Happy to answer your question. On the I-405 express toll lanes, you do need a Flex Pass that is tied to a Good To Go! account and the required number of passengers to travel toll-free. For other local area HOV lanes, on I-5 for example, you do not need a Good To Go! pass. You can learn more about the new I-405 express toll lane carpool requirements on our website.

Hello Mama Me 3-Happy to answer your question. On the I-405 express toll lanes, you do need a Flex Pass that is tied to a Good To Go! account and the required number of passengers to travel toll-free. For other local area HOV lanes, on I-5 for example, you do not need a Good To Go! pass. You can learn more about the new I-405 express toll lane carpool requirements on our website.

Hello Kim-To travel toll-free as a carpool in the I-405 express toll lanes, you will need a Flex Pass set to HOV mode that is tied to a Good To Go! account, as well as the required number of people in your vehicle. If you use the express toll lanes without the Flex Pass, you will be charged a toll, regardless of the number of people in your vehicle. This applies to school buses, as well.

Hi Melissa-The Flex Pass manufacturer does not recommend moving the pass between vehicles. Some folks have multiple cars, each with their own pass, which is why we allow up to six passes and vehicles on a single Good To Go! account.

The Flex Pass should be installed below the rearview mirror with the switch facing inside the vehicle. You should be able to read the “TOLL” and “HOV” mode labels from inside the vehicle. Once installed, the Flex Pass should always stay affixed to the windshield. We do not recommend removing it.

Hello Bob-The occupancy requirement on the I-405 express toll lanes was established by the Washington State Transportation Commission and is based on the number of people in the vehicle, not the vehicle’s carrying capacity. There is also a 3+ HOV lane on SR 520 east of the bridge where two-person vehicles are not allowed in the HOV lanes.

How do you attach the flex pass?? I need a visual. I can't imagine whizzing down the road at 60mph and having to wiggle my finger under the pass to switch to HOV. Doe the bar cod face in or out? Sticking it with the velcro on the window does not work, it keeps falling off. It does not stick.

What prevents single passenger drivers or two-person carpools from keeping the Good to Go pass on "Carpool" status when they don't meet the carpool requirements, thus not paying the toll when they should? There is no way to distinguish a violator of the carpool now without actually being inside the vehicle itself to look at the pass. The State Patrol will not be able to tell what the pass designates while patrolling the highway and, therefore, they will not be able to pull over violators because there is no way to know who they are.

Sitting in traffic on I-405, I can tell you that violation of the carpool lane criterion was already bad, with single passenger cars taking up at least 10% of the total vehicles in the HOV lane. Enforcement for carpools on I-405 was practically non-existent. Drivers were asked to report violators, but that just led to slaps on the wrist. Now, it seems carpool violations cannot be enforced at all. The State Patrol certainly has better things to do than track down HOV lane violators anyway.

Three cheers for the toll that causes law abiding citizens to pay and criminals to get where they want faster without paying at all!

Bar code and logos face into the car so you can easily toggle before you start a trip. So you'll want the blank side facing out. The Velcro should work, the adhesive is pretty sticky to stick it to the windshield. It should be firmly attached when you stick the velcro to itself. Maybe try pushing it harder??? I don't know what else I could say without a photo.

A vehicle in carpool status will show red on the outside of the pass, when you slide the toggle to HOV it shows red on both sides, so law enforcement can distinguish carpools from tolls. It's up to law enforcement to determine if a vehicle declaring HOV is actually HOV just as with every other HOV Lane in the state

Washington State Patrol (WSP) will provide express toll lane enforcement, similar to the SR 167 HOT lanes. There will be additional patrols for enforcement during the first few months of express toll lanes operation. If a driver uses the Flex Pass to declare carpool status, a beacon above the roadway will signal the driver’s HOV status to surrounding vehicles and law enforcement. WSP will use visual inspections to determine if drivers are meeting the carpool requirements. Failing to comply with HOV requirements or crossing the double white lines will result in a $136 ticket.

Does the system take a picture of just the rear license plate to determine the registered owner, since vehicles may not have a front license plate? If the vehicle does have a front license plate, does the system take a picture of both and which one is used for determining the address associated with the registered vehicle owner?

I can tell you what...The lane that has been stolen from the non-car poolers and given to the car poolers has resulted in heavier traffic and more congestion in the now three non-car-pool lanes, instead of four!! Way to go Washington State and you authoritarian bureaucrats! Way to stick it to the people trying to commute from Bothell to Federal Way every day, making the commute from one hour to hour and a half. Meanwhile you tyrants in Olympia have made the two car pool lanes like ghost towns! This is what a big-brother government and an out-of-control tyrannical control freak, police state looks like!!

I have to say "good job" for answering all these questions. This is a nice way people to vent and get clear on how all this works. I have to say I'm opposed to tolls lanes, but what can I do? When our kids are out of school, we'll be leaving this area for better roads, better weather. This was the first Monday out of the gate and traffic was a nightmare. Either people waited until the last minute to get their g2g passes going, or they're planning on sticking to the free lanes. I'm sure the initial days of 75 cents or $1 are numbered. Can't wait for it to be 10 bucks! Again, good job supporting a regressive system.TL;DR: blah blah snarky, blah blah pessimistic, blah blah passive agressive.

You've ruined our (formerly) freeway. Your answers to people who post about being low income are truly lacking in understanding. If you don't have extra money, you can't pay extra money to "go to that job interview or pick up a child from daycare" by paying to take the express lanes. This is a rich person's privilege you've created, that those of us who live, work, go to school, and struggle to make it in this expensive area can't afford. I can hardly pay my rent here anymore, much less pay for the privilege to use the carpool lane. As a single parent of one, I used to be able to use the carpool lane at least part of the time with my child, but no more. I've lived through years of delays, extra rock chips to my car, etc. while you built this idiocy. Now I am planning on moving out of the region as soon as I can manage it. When you take away our freedom to travel on the roadways, you limit our ability to provide for our families and advance our whole community. Your entire department and those you answer to need sensitivity training to understand how the middle class and low income are being squeezed out of the entire Seattle area. Shame on you.

Thanks for your question. WSDOT takes pictures of both license plates when vehicles travel on area toll lanes. For a passenger vehicle, the rear plate takes precedence for determining the registered owner.

Hello Josh-The Flex Pass should have come with two velcro pieces. They are pretty small and often get stuck in the instruction booklet or to the inside of the package the pass came in. I recommend taking another peek to see if they’re hiding. If not, velcro is available a local drug stores or hardware stores. We don’t offer additional velcro by mail. Thanks!

It is illegal to cross the double white lines on the I-405 express toll lanes. We have an Interactive Map that can help plan your route and decide which entry and exit points work best for your commute!

Why does the 405 HOV lanes not use the same system as Hwy 167 uses?I thought the purpose of the Flexpass with HOV mode was so that we would not need to pay police to monitor the Carpool lanes. Now it appears that Carpool users not only must pay extra to set up an account and buy a flex pass, but we also still need to pay police to monitor the carpool lanes for HOV cheaters. No one has explained why we do not use the same system that is currently used on Hwy 167 where non carpool HOV lane users pay for the account and passes and HOV users simply use the lanes without a pass and the police monitor the lanes for violators. The system on Hwy 167 seems so much simpler, cheaper and less aggravating than the new 405 system.

Apparently WSDOT doesn't want you to know about the transponder you put in your car to track and trace your movements (Flexpass), and tax you in the future by knowing exactly how far you commute, along with sharing this info with the insurance company who will jack up your rates, knowing your driving habits... Keep filtering this statement WSDOT, suppress the truth!

The Flex pass "can't" or "shouldn't" be moved between vehicles? Which is it? Previous instructions have said "shouldn't" and in this blog you cite a manufacturer recommending against it. Why? It seems pretty sturdy in hard plastic -- removing/reinstalling with velcro should be simple. If not, why aren't you using a permanent attachment method versus velcro? Is there some technical reason with the tolling system requiring the transponder to match registered Good to Go account license plates? Otherwise, I see no reason to purchase multiple transponders for my vehicles.

I am confused about whether we are allowed to move the flex pass between vehicles as well. The WSDOT sit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/GoodToGo/PassSelectionhelp.htm says "The Flex Pass should not be moved between vehicles." but the Everett Herald 9/27 article http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150927/NEWS01/150929295 says "We have more than one car.You can have up to six vehicles on one account. Also, passes don't need to be linked to specific vehicles. So movable transponders, like the Flex Pass, can be used on any of the vehicles listed on your account." It seems like there is conflicting information going around, but the Herald article is correct that the Flex pass is not tied to one specific vehicle on my account, so what happens if I move it between vehicles?

How exactly will they trace your every movement? I'm curious to how this will work given the current state of the infrastructure to support such a claim. Without a battery or external power source, the passes aren't powerful enough to transmit to satellites... Enlighten me please

You know...this is classic Orwellian, Big-brother society at work...Here's the carrot, yes, want to travel for free in the new car pool lanes, great, no problem!! Just put this transponder in your car, and away you go, no fees, no charges, just make sure you have three people in your car...Okay, what's the catch? There could never be something for free, right? Of course not. The catch is now you have this electronic device in your car that tracks your every movement. Think big brother? You betchya! Think tax by the mile, down the road? (no pun intended)... You betchya! Think evasion of privacy, since the government knows your vehicles location at all times...You betchya! Think higher insurance rates, when the government shares your driving history with the insurance company and they in turn jack your rates up, based on knowing your driving habits...You betchya!

For all the rest of the three-person carpoolers...You have adequate amount of people in the carpool lane, but don't want to be tracked and traced...No problem, just pay up sucker! Pay $10 everytime you take your kid to soccer practice, or pick you mom up from the nursing home to go for lunch and a walk, or God forbid you try to make it to work on time!

For all the two person car-poolers...You probably get the worst end of this, since you are now criminals for using the new THREE-person car-pool lane "during peak hours of course". Oh yeah, for non-peak hours, make sure you get your digital tracking device attached to your car, or be prepared to pay up for using the car pool lane too, by getting a bill mailed to you!!

For everyone else...well, you shmucks just get placed in the worst highway parking lot yet!

Hello Shona-The Flex Pass attaches to the windshield just below the rearview mirror. The small velcro pieces that come with the Flex Pass are pretty sticky and should hold the pass in place. The slider that moves between HOV and TOLL mode should face inside the vehicle.

Trace your every movement...yes, have you ever seen those small square modules located near the top of utility poles pointed down at traffoc? No, not the readers on the nifty new toll towers, but the others. Well, you don't think those are used to ping your location with the flexpass you accept into your vehicle? You don't think those flexpass readers you put in your car, can't be "upgraded" if not already capable to include a GPS receiver, or have other RFID technologies that allow your car's location to not be identified? What happened in NYC...? http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/22/new-york-e-zpass-tracking/ Yeah, they got caught monitoring vehicles movements outside of the so-called tolling locations. You honestly don't think that is becoming more prevalent, and not just a coincidence?http://www.rfid1984.com/tollway.html

You haven't explained how this "tracking device" will work, just the hypothetical implications. How will they be able to track you if the transponders can't communicate with satellites because they are too low powered? Explain, with credible evidence that you can read one of these from satellites, which would be the only way they could manage to track everyone in a cost effective way.

It seems unfair that we now have to pay to use the carpool lane that we've used for the past 6 yrs being carpool (2 person). Why does it have to be 3+ to get the free during peak period. So it truly isn't for traffic congestion because we were not in the regular traffic lane to begin with.Also, a lot of volunteer drivers are 2 person carpools - now they have to pay to get to their destination? Senior citizens headed for their medical appointments -money is tight so now they have to choose to pay or stay in the slow lane. Very discriminatory isn't it?

Why is there not a HOV only pass?I didn't want a Flex pass, I just wanted an HOV only pass because I never plan on using the HOV lanes unless I am a carpool, but they do not offer that. The Flex Pass makes me nervous because the WSDOT has stated that we will be charged regardless of the number of passengers in the car if the pass is not set to HOV. I'm worried at some point one of my kids or someone else with end up playing with the thing and set it to toll and since it is in the recommended location behind rear view mirror I cannot clearly see what it is set at without double checking it all the time. My solution is I have super glued it so that it cannot be changed to toll ever. What a hassle!

No one has answer the questions 1. Why can't we move the flex pass between registered vehicles? (Please don't just say "because the manufacturer says not to.")2. What will happen if we do move the flex pass between registered vehicles? (If someone out there does try moving one from vehicle to vehicle, please let us know how it goes.)

Please elaborate on "You should not move the Flex Pass between vehicles per the manufacturer’s recommendation." Why?

There is nothing in the Terms of Service that say you can't. Since the answer so far seems to be evasive, let me ask it another way: What happens if I do? Is the tolling system trying to match the transponder to a registered plate? A manufacturer's recommendation isn't the law, nor the official rules of the system. It works or it doesn't?

Hello Connor R –The Flex Pass is required to carpool toll-free in the new I-405 express toll lanes because non-carpools are also allowed to use the lanes by paying a toll. The Flex Pass is the mechanism to tell the toll equipment and Washington State Patrol that you are a carpool and should not be tolled for your trip. Thanks for your question!

This is interesting, http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/No-I-405-tolls-for-HOV-lanes-bill-dies-in-Olympia-895329.phpA 2010 PI article about a previous 405 HOT lane bill dying in congress clearly indicates that the reason for making the Car pool limit 3+ instead of 2+ was about revenue. Quote "A key to the bill's demise in the Senate was changing the measure to allow cars with a driver and one passenger to use the HOT lanes; the original version would have allowed cars with a driver and at least two passengers to use it free. The switch meant the costs of the lanes would have exceeded toll revenue, said Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester and ranking minority member of the Senate Transportation Committee."It seems clear that the 3+ rule is about generating more money and not not improved traffic flow.

Hello Connor R –Thanks for your questions. Washington State Patrol currently enforces both the SR 167 HOT lanes and the I-405 express toll lanes. In addition to enforcing the specific toll-related rules such as carpool occupancy, they are also there to enforce general traffic laws and assist the driving public. The SR 167 HOT lanes are still a pilot project and wholesale changes cannot be made to their operation unless they become a permanent toll facility by the WA state legislature. That said, the long-term plan is to have 40 miles of consistent express toll lanes from Lynnwood to the south end of the present-day SR 167 HOT lanes.

The Flex Pass should not be moved between vehicles. Repeated moving of the pass may have a number of unintended consequences:- The velcro may become less effective with repeated use, risking that the Flex Pass will fall off the windshield while driving- The Flex Pass must be installed in a specific place on the windshield in a specific position. Repeated installation introduces errors to installing it correctly. An incorrectly installed Flex Pass may not communicate with the toll system as effectively.- Forgetting to move the Flex Pass into the car you are using would cause you to pay a toll, potentially getting the toll as a bill in the mail, without the Flex Pass in your vehicle.

Hello ilovebacon –With the 2+ HOV lane, no one had a reliable trip on I-405 no matter which lane they chose. A three-passenger carpool requirement will provide a faster and more reliable trip for drivers opting to use express toll lanes during peak hours, moving at 45 mph 90 percent of the time. As traffic moves more quickly in the express toll lanes, the regular lanes will experience less congestion.

The decision to increase the carpool requirement during peak hours from two occupants to three was approved by the I-405/SR167 Executive Advisory Group (EAG), a committee consisting of local and state elected officials from the I-405 and SR 167 corridor. It is one measure to mitigate the projected population and employment growth in the area, which means more traffic on I-405.

Research on existing express toll lane users in Washington and in other parts of the country reveals that people of all income levels choose to pay tolls when they need a faster trip, whether that be during regular daily commute, running late to an appointment, or picking up a child from school or day care. There are no specific toll-exemption allowances for Transportation Network Company (TNC) drivers or for senior citizens. All toll-exemptions are decided by the Washington State Transportation Commission.

I've been hearing this talk that 75% of the money generated from 405 tolls goes to "Texas". Can you confirm or deny this? Where does the money go? Using WSDOT's survey question technique ... given $1.00 of toll revenue, where does the money go?Thanks,Adam

Based on prior descriptions, it sounds as though the FlexPass transponder is read by the tolling equipment regardless of whether it is in HOV or TOLL mode. Is this correct? Could you please explain how exactly the system detects whether a pass is in HOV or TOLL mode (what happens inside the pass when I move the "switch" between modes)? Thank you in advance, I would love to get an official answer, instead of just taking a pass apart to figure it out :)

Also, I contacted your customer service phone number this morning, and was told that the FlexPass would not work on the 520 bridge if it was in HOV mode. Based on your comment above that it *would* work, it may be worth reminding your customer service staff of this.

I think the flex pass has two RFID tags in it, one coded as a regular toll (as with the generic sticker tags, for example), and the other is coded somewhat like a motorcycle pass so it won't get charged in the HOT lanes/ETLs. Having tested my flex pass going over the TNB (Narrows) in HOV mode, I was charged the G2G rate, it will still read as a pass going over bridges. I believe that the toggle switch is a shield for the tag you aren't using (HOV mode = shield over general toll tag, and TOLL mode = shield over HOV tag). Just my guess.

Hello Jolanne Stanton:Thanks for your question! Once you activate your Flex Pass on your Good To Go! account and install it on your windshield, please remove any other passes from your vehicle. You only want one pass in your vehicle at a time. The Flex Pass will work on any WA state toll facility, including the SR 520 Bridge.

Hello Identity Cloaker:Thanks for your question. The Flex Pass is read by the toll system, regardless of which mode it is in. There are actually two chips contained within the tag: one SOV and one HOV. They are activated by switching the antenna from one chip to the other.

Hi, what happens when I use a FlexPass registered to one account on a vehicle registered to a different account? I want to use my own pass on my work vehicle, but my work vehicle is already tied to a corporate account. In order for me to use the ETL on my own time, I need to use my own pass and pay the toll. How can I make sure that both my company's account and my account aren't being charged at the same time? Or is it just not possible for me to use a pass on a vehicle registered to a different account?

Hello Unknown-65 percent of the tolls collected go to maintenance and operations of the I-405 express toll lane system. The vendors used for tolling are the few and sometimes only businesses providing toll services in the country. Most of the vendors that support tolling have home offices in other locations, and base their employees in Washington. A third of the vendor work is performed by Schneider Electric located in Rockville, Maryland (6 employees in the Seattle area).

Our back office vendor that processes transactions and provides customer service center support (ETCC) reflects a quarter of the work performed (120 employees in the Seattle region). Washington State Patrol reflects nearly 20 percent of the work. Credit card fees are a significant portion of administrative costs, followed by printing and postage. Toll Division support comprises the remaining operations cost, provided mainly by Jacobs.

Hello Adam-Sorry we missed your name the first time. My apologies. We will be tolling the SR 99 Tunnel when it opens. We have also received funding to extend the I-405 express toll lanes south to Renton where they connect to the SR 167 HOT lanes. Have a great day!

Hello Ma Roselyn Dizon-Yes, a single-occupant vehicle can use the I-405 express toll lanes at any time by paying a toll. If you have a Flex Pass, make sure the pass is set to “TOLL” mode. Thanks for your question!

In a previous response regarding the mandatory $30 prepaid balance, you (WSDOT) said this "To use the lanes for free, carpoolers and motorcyclists will also need to have a Good To Go! account in good standing, which does require a refundable $30 deposit. This is to cover the payments of future tolls on any toll road in Washington and will be returned to you if you do not use it."My question is, if I open an account today and forcibly load it with $30, when can that amount be returned to me? I do not intend to use the lanes with less than 3 people in the car, so I don't want $30 tied up in my account. If in the unlikely event that I do need to jump in the toll lane without 2 others, I much prefer to just pay the toll (certainly less than $30!) online after the fact. Thanks for being active on this feed. I have been on hold with customer service for the last 32 minutes.

I just received my Flex Pass in the Mail and wanted to take this opportunity to suggest a couple of things that I ended up coming here online to get answers for that could have easily been covered in the included Quickstart Guide.

1. Once your new Flex Pass has been activated, either online or by telephone (I added mine to my existing Good To Go account online just now) you can remove your old sticker type pass and destroy it.

2. For instructions on how to remove the sticker Google "how to remove a sticker from my windshield".

Hello Irene:To travel toll-free as a carpool in the I-405 express toll lanes, you will need a Flex Pass set to HOV mode that is tied to a Good To Go! account, as well as the required number of people in your vehicle. The Good To Go! account must have a positive balance to use the Flex Pass as a valid carpool and travel toll-free. If there is no money in your account, you will receive a bill in the mail for the toll, plus $2.00 on top of the toll. The money in your account is yours to use towards tolls on any WA state toll facility and is fully refundable if you ever choose to close your account. Thanks for your question!

Thanks for your question. Once you activate your Flex Pass on your Good To Go! account and install it on your windshield, please remove any other passes from your vehicle. You only want one pass in your vehicle at a time. The Flex Pass will work on any WA state toll facility, including the SR 520 Bridge.

This may sound like a stupid question but which side has to face the outside on the flex pass? I was sure that the bar code side had to be facing the outside but that would make the switching toll/hov switch harder (you'd have to take it off and switch it)

Thanks for your question. The switch actually faces the inside of the car so you can easily switch between HOV and TOLL modes. The flat, white part faces the windshield and affixes with the two little pieces of velcro that were included in your starter kit.

I purchased a Flex Pass and tried it out for my first time. I was one of only a few cars in the Flex Lanes and the cars in the regular lanes were going at regular speed (really no reason to use the Flex Lanes). I was going the same speed as the cars in the regular lanes and was not paying attention to my speed. I got pulled over and ticketed for speeding. If I had been in the regular lane, I would not have gotten pulled over. With so little traffic in the Flex Lanes and with our speed being monitored, the motor cycle police were having a hay day giving out easy tickets because there was no traffic in the Flex Lanes. The most irritating thing is I bought the Flex Pass to use if I ever had to hurry home and the traffic was bad. I just tested out the pass and used the lane; since it was only 75 cents and to get the feel of how it worked. Very expensive lesson to learn. If you don't need to use the Flex Lane stay out of it! The ticket cost me $156.

To activate my new Flex Pass, everybody says "Click on the Good To Go tab" in the Vehicles/Pass section of the online account, but instead of three tabs "Vehicles", "Good To Go! Pass", and "Request Items", I only see two tabs. (NO "Good To Go! Pass.") ¿What to do?

You probably have a Pay By Plate account. Unfortunately, you can’t add a pass to a Pay By Plate account type online since it changes the account type (from license plate to registered pass account type). Sorry about that! If you call customer service (1-866-936-8246), they can help get your pass on your account for you.

Southbound just before and up to 520 ... at night ... raining ... drivers can NOT see the lanes. Please paint them. Your attempts to erase previous lane lines has only make it harder to see what lane I'm actually supposed to be in. Erased lane lines are shiny black lines ... ALL OVER THE PLACE. It's an accident waiting to happen. Seriously, there's probably an accident happening right now as I type this or as you are reading this (if you are reading this at night ... and it's still raining).What is you plan for this? Please put in some new shiny WHITE lane lines with the little reflector bumps. MY GOODNESS! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???What is the plan? Seriously, what is it? You shut down lanes all night all over the place anyway. A few more isn't going to be that big of a deal. Seriously, who is your boss? Tell him or her he/she is an idiot right now. Seriously, blame is on me. Tell them. Right now. Tell them and then just point to your screen. Wow. No lane lines and the erased ones more shiny than anything else. Genius. Thanks, your previous friend, but not so much anymore, Adam

Express toll lanes are a part of the state HOV system that prohibits vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight from using them. However, there is no current signage telling trucks this restriction is in place in the express toll lanes. We ordered the signs and are planning to install them next week. We are also working with State Patrol on enforcement.

I requested a Flex Pass a couple weeks ago, however when I look at my account, it still says "requested." Is there a significant backlog of requests or have I failed to perform a critical step to get my request processed?

Monica – We suggest you put it on the inside of your windshield so that the pass may be read properly. If you would like to test how your pass will be read based on its position inside of your vehicle, you can visit the Good To Go! Customer Service Center and have them run a test scan.

@kwn70 - It can take up to two weeks to send a Flex Pass ordered online. If it has been longer than that, it's possible that your account balance did not have enough funds to cover the cost of the Flex Pass when you placed your order, and the order was never processed. You can determine if this is the case by checking your account history for a deduction around the time you put in the request.

If this is the case and you want to get your pass sooner, you may want to consider buying from a retail partner. They should be in stock at most places, but we still recommend calling ahead first. Here's a list of locations: www.goodtogo.com/retail

Either way, I suggest that you contact us to look into this for you. Our phone lines (866-936-8246) are very busy right now with average hold times about 25+ minutes, and it is taking us about 5 days to respond to emails (goodtogo@goodtogo.wsdot.wa.gov).

Does it matter where you put the velcro pieces? I used my own velcro pieces since my kit didnt' come with velcro, and the velcro I have blocks about 1/3 of the red bar (when switched to HOV mode). .... It's not obvious we're an HOV because my 2nd passenger is always in the carseat in back, and I don't want to be pulled over by police when traveling (causing an even LONGER commute). I don't want to be charged as a SOV when we're an HOV just because the red is only 2/3 visible. Please advise. .... And maybe change the design of the NEXT version of the good-to-go flex pass to accommodate for velco pieces. I'm guessing i'm not the first person to ask this question. Thanks.

I am still curious about Flex Passes "should not be moved between vehicles." My husband and I hardly ever need to use the pass as neither of us commute. However, we do often go out to dinner in other cities, and will use the flex pass when it's free to use it for 2 people. We have two cars, one is a convertible, so we drive one or the other depending upon the weather, etc. So it's not a matter of constantly changing between vehicles. I still do not understand the problem with changing the pass between cars. However, if it is a problem, how do we get another pass so that we have one for each car? I don't want to pay another fee for an extra pass just for occasional use.

Still have no answer to my carpooling with a metallicized windshield issue. Why should I spend $45 to purchase a pass and fund an account that won't work for me? Already been fined once for carpooling...

@SDS Good questions. The Velcro can go on the sides of the Flex Pass - it's OK if it blocks the red HOV mode bar. When it's set to HOV mode it will illuminate a beacon above the roadway so WSP knows who is carpooling. Appreciate your feedback on the design - will take that into consideration.

@Zook Thanks for your question. It's important to keep your license plate registered on your account. That way if for some reason your Flex Pass isn't detected we can match the toll to your account using your license plate.

@Kracinda Sorry that you didn't get an answer to your question. We have a solution for folks with metallized windshields. You'll need to take the following steps.

1. Contact your local dealership or consult your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle has an area in the windshield for radio transponders including Good To Go! passes. 2. If you find that your windshield does not have a "cut out" area for a Good To Go! transponder, you will need a license plate pass for your vehicle, or you may also wish to consider a Pay By Plate account. 3. If you carpool on the I-405 express toll lanes, you will need to take additional steps to drive for free. Please contact 405carpool@wsdot.wa.gov and we will notify you how to carpool toll-free with a license plate pass.

@Emily_Pace, Thanks. ... and since it's attached by velcro, It seems like it can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, just like the old "removable pass." The "removable pass" was a good-to-go pass that was available in 2011 or 2012, but now is no longer an option for people to purchase, Why is that? .... I had a "removable pass" (which i've since now replaced with the Flex Pass), and I used that pass often with my parents' and husband's vehicles. ... Any reason why the Flex Pass can't be moved in the same manner as the "removable" pass? Seems like alot of people want to share it between vehicles, and there really isn't a good answer as to why not.

Hi Speaking Truth to Fashion - The Flex Pass may not work if you move it between vehicles. If you move it, our system may not read it and you may end up getting a bill in the mail at the higher Pay By Mail rate – even if you are a carpool. You can have more than one Flex Pass on one Good To Go! account. To order Flex Passes online, follow the steps here: www.wsdot.wa.gov/GoodToGo/faq_GeneralInfo.htm#M3

I travel 405 N. from the hiway 527 from the Canyon Creek area in Bothell. I normally travel into Bellevue and Renton on 405. My question is, as MOSTLY a single occupant, how would I use this (these) passes. I officiate sports year round and travel to my games from around 3pm to 10pm on some days. How would a good to go/flex pass benefit me and how would I use it. Would I need to keep it on HOV at all times?

Also, I see the words on the signs sometimes saying "HOV w/2, + free w/flex pass ". Does that mean, if you have the flex pass, its free, even if you're by yourself. Remember. I'm mostly a single occupant trying to get to a football, basketball, or baseball game. And I'm far from rich, but time is time.

Hey Chris – Here's how it works: The Good To Go! Flex pass has a switch that enables drivers to shift between HOV and Toll mode. While in HOV mode, the pass signals to the cameras that the driver is claiming an exemption from the toll and has enough people in the vehicle to qualify as a high occupancy vehicle. When drivers do not meet carpool occupancy requirements, the pass must be switched to Toll mode.

As a single driver, you will need to have your Flex pass in Toll mode when driving in the express toll lanes. If you are rarely carpooling, you may want to consider a Good To Go! sticker pass ($5) in order to use the express toll lanes. The sticker pass functions in the same way that the flex pass does while in Toll mode – you'll be charged a toll when you decide to use the express toll lanes.

I ordered my flex pass online and I just received my flex pass in the mail. If I ordered it online do I still need to activate it by calling the number above? Or is there a way I can activate it online? The above number puts me on hold for a very long time.

Hi Grace – If you purchased a Flex Pass through MyGoodToGo, we’ve been running a little behind on fulfillment. You should receive your pass this week; if not, please contact customer service: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/GoodToGo/contacts.htm. If you applied for a free Flex Pass through RideShareOnline, please call the Flex Pass hotline to discuss, 206-464-1230.

Hi Emma – if you ordered it through RideShareOnline – you can activate by adding it to a new Good To Go! account at www.MyGoodToGo.com. Click the purple tab that reads" Open a New account", then choose "registered pass account", and then fill in the information.

This question/response is one that I don't think gets enough press. If I understand it, ANYONE can drive in the 405 express lanes IF they have a FLEXPASS as long as it is set to TOLL..am I understanding this correctly People are hung up on the occupancy requirements but these just apply to riding 'free' with the FlexPass correct?

@SingleOK, yes, ANYONE can drive in the express lanes. You don't need a flexpass or sticker pass to do this, since the DOT will charge-by-plate if you don't have a pass. If you have a sticker pass, it's less expensive than charge-by-plate. If you have a flexpass, it's the same price as a sticker pass if you're an SOV Single-occupancy-vehicle, and you can ride for free if you're an HOV (2 or 3 people, depending on DOT's definition of HOV at the time that you're traveling), and ONLY if you switch the flexpass to red/HOV mode. ... i don't work for the DOT, but this is what they've been advertising.

I finally received my Flex Pass after not being able to find one at any retail locations and then having to wait for the good folks at Good-to-Go to send it to me. :-( Now I have two questions.1. The only time we use I405 is when we have carpool. How can I get reimbursed for the $22.75 of charges that I incurred while using the lane in an HOV capacity?2. If I leave my sticker pass on the car and also have the Flex Pass will I be charged twice?

@Adam - Apologies in the delay getting back to you. I am sorry you experienced a dangerous commute on southbound I-405, and I appreciate you sharing that experience. I have shared your concerns with our project team. The stretch of southbound I-405 approaching SR 520 still has temporary striping. Implementing the final striping and reflective safety features is on the construction schedule. Unfortunately, the work is weather dependent and finding a window of dry weather to complete the work has been difficult. That said, the team is well-aware that this is an urgent need for drivers. If dry weather doesn't present itself, they will take measures to install additional safety reflectors until the final striping can be put in place. Once again, thank you for reaching out. We're looking forward to remedying this situation as soon as possible.

I dont see how you can repeatedly indicate the flex pass is for free when you want 30.00 dollars once I receive it. I will never pay the state a penny and it will be a miracle if I ever pay to use a carpool lane. I want to use the carpool lane since we visit family in Redmond frequently with many people in the car. Since this I-405 switched over the rich get to ride free of traffic- throwing 2.75 out the window with no care and "us" who are trying to get to our families and working hard all day with no extras to "ride in the fast last" - we work all day and now we get to enjoy a long ride home watching the rich drive by. I am a "carpooler" and I deserve to use that lane without all these extra costs or hoops. Shame on this state.

Is it okay to drive in the express lane with more then 3 people, but without the good to go pass or do I still have to pay a toll?

Also, if I have the good to go pass as a single driver in the HOV lanes from Renton up to Bellevue or anywhere on 405 for that matter (like the option on 167) is that allowed?

Personally, I think that this new system has made traffic far worse. I typically travel from renton south to Tukwila & I see the traffic going north on 405 backed up to southcenter & this has happened since the new changes. It's very difficult to drive home nowadays considering my commute used to take 20 mins home at night now takes 1 hour. I think it needs to change back to the old method & when it is not rush hour (6-9 AM & 5-7 PM) the HOV lanes need to open to everyone without paying a toll. I have driven from appointments in Redmond down to Renton at 1 pm & have sat in traffic as 1-2 cars pass me in the HOV lane. That lane should be open at all other times to ease traffic congestion without people being charged when it is not rush hour.

@K.Eller – With a Flex Pass, all of those trips you take with your family can be free in the express toll lanes. The $30 covers you when you’re a single occupant, or when you simply don’t meet the carpool requirements. Ultimately, having a Good To Go! account works in your favor so you can pay the lowest toll rate possible for your trip or ride free in the express toll lanes when you’re an HOV.

Hi Debbie –The tolling equipment cannot determine how many people are in a vehicle as you pass each entry point, unless you have a Flex Pass in HOV mode. So without a Good To Go! Pass, you’ll pay a toll for that trip. You are always allowed to use the express toll lanes, even as a single-occupant. If you have a Flex Pass, you’ll just switch it into Toll mode when you are driving alone in the express toll lanes.

We understand your concerns and are monitoring traffic changes and shifts in congestion. Before express toll lanes, I-405 was not functioning efficiently. ETLs are a traffic management tool that help congestion by providing efficiency back to the corridor and addressing the increasingly high demand of Puget Sound roadways.

Perhaps WSP Troopers should be provided with infrared thermal imaging equipment. This way they would be able to detect single occupancy HOV violator vehicles with tinted windows. Last week we followed such a vehicle southbound in the toll lane on I-405; the flex pass was in HOV mode. We pulled into the same parking lot in Bellevue and discovered the driver to be alone in the vehicle. It makes me wonder just how many are getting away with this everyday...

Right now, I already have the flex pass. As a single driver, would I still need to get the $5 go to go sticker pass or would that be a waste of money since I already have the flex pass?

Also, I'm still trying to understand the toll fee structure, and what is actually charged to the passes. So, if I see the toll signs saying "$.0.75, does that mean the system charges .75 cents to enter and travel in the toll lanes? If so, does the fee change if you stay in that lane your whole commute? Then there are the exit toll lanes. If I'm already in the toll lane, and take an exit that also says "$0.75, is that fee also tacked on to the flex pass, or does the original .75 cents take care of that?

One last question. If I'm on 405 South in the toll lanes going threw Bellevue passing the Bellevue Mall going to Tukwila, does the flex pass allow you to stay in the fast lanes (still on 405) threw the "S" curves and onto Tukwila?

Chris, you won't need a Good To Go! sticker pass if you already have a Good To Go! Flex Pass. The Flex Pass will work to pay tolls on any toll facility in Washington. When you don't meet occupancy requirements on the I-405 express toll lanes, you'll switch your Flex Pass into Toll mode, which will signal to the system that you are opting to pay the toll.

Additionally, the price you see when you enter the lanes is the price you will pay for your trip, even if the price is higher or lower later on down the road. You will pay only one toll per trip, not per entry point.

To enable drivers to easily plan trips using the ETLs, WSDOT has created an interactive map that illustrates the entry and exit points along the corridor you’ll use. Check it out here: wsdot.wa.gov/tolling/405/map. As a reminder, the express toll lanes do not extend south of NE 6th Street in Bellevue.

I have started using a flex pass and I'm reviewing the statement that appears on the "My Account" website. I am having trouble interpreting the shorthand descriptors in the "Location" field for each trip. For example, On one $0.75 southbound trip the "location" is 405L-B NE 137th St (SB05). Does this mean "Lane Begin to NE 137th St.? (There is no 137th St. exit). Two other $0.75 examples (from Dec.) say: 405L-B 240th St SE (SB03), and 405L-B NE 128th St (SB06). I don't understanding the codes. On a northbound trip the location code says: 405B-L 240th St SE (NB08).

I just received my Flex Pass in the mail, but I'm confused with which way to install it. If the HOV switch is facing me, I'll be able to switch it back and forth. However, if it is facing me, the cameras won't be able to read my Good to go bar code. SO, which way do I install it? Thanks!